Final answer:
The electrostatic force between a charge of +8.0 × 10^3 C and -5 x 10^-3 C separated by 0.25 m is calculated using Coulomb's Law to be 5.7488 × 10^11 newtons.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the electrostatic force between two charges, you can use Coulomb's Law, which is given by the formula:
F = k * |q1 * q2| / r^2
Where F is the force between the charges, k is Coulomb's constant (8.988 × 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the magnitudes of the charges, and r is the distance between the charges in meters.
For the given charges of +8.0 × 10^3 C and -5 x 10-3 C separated by 25 cm, first, convert centimeters to meters: 25 cm = 0.25 m. Then, we use Coulomb's Law:
F = (8.988 × 10^9 Nm^2/C^2) × |(8.0 × 10^3 C) × (-5 x 10^-3 C)| / (0.25 m)^2
F = (8.988 × 10^9) × (4.0 x 10^1) / 0.0625
F = 5.7488 × 10^11 N
The force that exists between them is 5.7488 × 10^11 newtons, acting attractive since one charge is positive and the other is negative.